Finger ring having means for mounting a plurality of similar ornaments



FINGER RING HA G MEAN 0R MOUNTING A PLURALITY SIMILAR ORNAMENTS Filed Oct. 15, 1960 Jan. 8, 1963 w. SC EIDER 3,071,940

C) I INVENTOR.

. l I 4 I SC/mwder United States Patent Ofifice 3,071,940 Patented Jan. 8, 1963 3,071,940 FINGER RING HAVING MEANS FOR MOUNTING A PLURALITY OF SIMILAR ORNAMENTS 7 William Schneider, 161 Kneeland Ave., Yonkers, N.Y. Filed Oct. 13, 1960, Ser. No. 62,470 2 Claims. (31. 63-15) The present invention relates to a finger ring and, particularly, to a gem-ornamented finger ring, and has for its general object the provision of a finger ring of the character described on which may be provided a selected varying number of gem ornaments each set in an individual setting of selected varying color, at the place of purchase.

Rings having more than one individually set gem ornaments of varying colors have heretofore been known. Most generally such rings are worn for sentimental reasons; the differently colored gems representing the birthstones of ones self and of a sweetheart, spouse and or other members of the family. Heretofore, the purchaser of such a ring, ready-made, was limited in his choice, as to the number and variety of gems to the stock in trade of ready-made rings available at the retail place of purchase else, the purchasers selection had to be transmitted to a jewelry manufacturer, to be made up on order. In both instances, the cost of such ring, of necessity, had to be high and out of reach of many persons who, otherwise, might have desired to own such a ring. Also, in both cases, any change in the family of the rings owner, if desired to be represented in a ring, required the substitution of a new ring or expensive modification of a ring already possessed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide finger rings having a selected plurality of individually set gem ornaments of selected varying colors that may be provided for a customer at the point of purchase, without the need either for the retailer to maintain in his stock on hand ready-made rings having all of the possible difierent number of gem ornaments that might be required by purchasers, in all the possible combinations of gem colors, and without the need of having the same custom made. I, It is another object of the present invention to provide rings having multiple, individually set gems, of the character described, formed of separate rings shanks and preset gems in which the ring shanks and gem settings may be quickly and easily assembled at the point of purchase from a relatively limited number of ring shanks and a relatively limited number of preset gems, in stock on hand.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide rings of the character described that, regardless of the number of gem ornaments present, the ring will present a symmetrical appearance. 7

It is still another object of the present invention to provide rings of the character described to which gems may be added and on which gems may be removed or replaced, at the point of purchase, with relative speed and ease and without requiring any special skills therefor or the need for sending the ring back to a jewelry factory.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide finger rings of the character described which may be massproduced and sold at relativelylow cost, especially in view of their adaptability and flexibility to individual taste, needs and selection.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide finger rings of the character described on which the gem ornamentsare securelyand safely held in place.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the rings of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the embodiment It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible, and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown. 1

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a ring shank of a ring of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the shank of FIG. 1, shown with a gem set ornament secured thereon;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, showing the ring thereof with two gem-set ornaments secured thereon;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG.. 5 is a plan view of one of the ornaments for the ring of the invention; shown before a gem is set therein;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view, taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a ring shank showing an ornamental design on the shank masking the ornament pin receiving holes.

Generally stated, the ring of the present invention comprises a combination of a ring shank and one or more ornaments securable to the ring shank, preferably in the form of gem settings, in which a gem is preferably already set or in which the gem may be set; the ring shank and ornaments being suitable for assembly in symmetrical relation, to give the appearance as if they were initially produced as a unit, regardless of the number of ornaments assembled with the ring shank.

More specifically stated, and with special reference to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the ring of the invention comprises a ring shank consisting of an annulus, 10, of relatively substantial width, along each outer edge of which is provided a head or rib, 12. Secured transversely of the annulus 10, to the rib 12 thereof, is an anchor or tail piece, 14, 16, which is raised above the outer surface, -16, of the annulus center, to provide a space, 18. Formed in the annulus 10, intermediate its ribs 12 and to one side of the anchor 14, are a plurality of evenly spaced openings, 20, which are preferably widened at their inner ends. The ring of the present invention comprises, further, one or more ornaments, each generally designated as 22, preferably in the form of a gem setting consisting of a plate 24, preferably of width to rest on the ribs 12 of the shank 10, having a gem receiving opening, 26, formed therein into which is set a gem, 28, of any desired shape and color. The ornament 22 is provided at the end, of its length with a tongue, 28, of lesser width than the space between ribs 12 and arranged to fit under the anchor 14 when the plate 24 is disposed on the ribs 12 and at its opposed end with an extension 30, corresponding in shape and size to the anchor 14 and symmetrically disposed with the anchor '14 relative to the. hole or opening 26; such extension 30 likewise capable of serving as an anchor for the tongue 28 of an adjacent ornament. Preferably, the anchor extension 30 is defined from the main ornament plate portion by a space which is preferably in the form of a groove or depression 32, whose purpose will hereafter be made clear.

Provided on the underside of the plate 24, is a preferably tubular pin, 34, which is preferably disposed along the center of its width and as closely opposite, the groove or depression 32 as possible. The spacing of the holes 26 from one another and from the anchor 14 and the length of the plates 24 and position of the pins 34 are such that when a first ornament 22 is engaged by the tongue 28, in the space 16 under'the anchor 14, its pin 34 will fit into the first opening 20 of the ring shank. Likewise, when a second ornament 22 has its tongue engaged under the anchor extension 30 of the first ornament,

the pins 34 of such second ornament will fit into the second of the holes 20 to one side of the anchor 14.

In order to assemble a ring of the invention, one of the ornaments 22, preferably with a gem 26 of selected color already set therein, is engaged by its tongue 23 within the space 18 under the anchor 14 on the shank 10, with the plate 24 resting on top of the ribs 12 and the pin 34 inserted into the first of the openings 20 from the anchor 14. The ornament is then secured in place by swaging the inner end of the pin 34 Within the widened end of the opening 20. Such swaging may be effected by a suitable tool, which may be pincer-like and is provided on the end of one of its arms with a blade-like projection which fits into the space or groove 32 on the plate 24 and which carries on the end of its other arm a peening head that will fit into and spread the tubular end of the pin 34.

It will be apparent that, because the anchor portion or extension 30 on the ornament plate 24 is identical in shape, dimensions and appearance with the fixed anchor 14 and is disposed an equal distance therewith from the gem 26, such ornament 22 set on the shank as described above, will present, together with the anchor 14, a symmetrical ornamentation on the shank 10.

It will also be apparent that since the plate 24 of the ornament 22 secured in place on the shank 10 rests on top of the ribs 12 its extension or anchor 30 will also provide a space 18, for the receipt of a tongue 28 of a second ornament 22, which will be disposed alongside of the first ornament and whose pin 34 will lit and be engaged in the second of the openings 20 from the anchor 14, and which will present, together with the anchor 14 and the first of the ornaments 22, a two-gem decoration in the shank 10, which will be symmetrically disposed thereon. Further additional ornaments, each with a desired gem color set therein, may be added to the ring, in the same manner, either at the same time as the first ornament or at any time thereafter.

In order to provide that the openings 20 shall not detract from the appearance of the ring shank, where they are not covered by an ornament 22, the surface portion 16 of the annulus 10 may be engraved or provided with a surface design 40 that may be either embossed or debossed, and in which the openings will constitute or fit in as a design element, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In order to avoid any injury or discomfort to the wearers finger from any swaged ends of the pins 34, that may project from an opening 20, the inner surface portion of the annulus encompassing the openings may be recessed, as at 38, so as to space the swaged ends of the pins 34 from and keep them out of contact with the skin of the wearers finger.

It may here be stated that while the ring of the present invention has been illustrated as being provided with ornaments of simple shape, such ornaments may have decoratively formed surfaces and that the anchors on the ring shank and on the ornaments may likewise be formed with ornamental surface design.

This completes the description of the selectively ornamented rings of the resent invention. It will be readily apparent that such rings may be worn without any ornaments at all or may be provided with a varying number of ornaments, with or without gems set therein, from one to as many as five, or more, if so desired. It will also be apparent that the settings and ring shank may be conveniently pre-for med at a point of manufacture and readily and easily assembled to suit a customers desire or needs at the point of sale. It will be additionally apparent that by reason of the fact that the ring shank and ornaments are assembled at the point of sale a retailer will require a relatively limited amount of stock in the form of shanks and ornaments on hand, and thus render the manufacture and sale of such rings economical and practical.

It will be further apparent that the assembly of the shank and settings of the ring of the present invention may be quickly and easily effected and that such assembly will be firm and secure. It will be still further apparent that the owner of a ring is not limited to the number of gem ornaments secured thereon at the time of purchase, but may have additional gem-set ornaments added to the ring at any time that may be desired.

It will be still further apparent that numerous modifications and variations in the finger rings of the present invention may be made by anyone skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles of the invention hereinabove set forth, and without the exercise of any inventive ingenuity. I desired, therefore, to be protected for any and all such modifications and variations that may be made within the spirit of the present invention and scope of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

1. A finger ring comprising an annulus, said annulus having an anchor bar secured on its outer surface and projecting transversely thereof in a direction parallel to the axis of said annulus, said anchor bar having a portion thereof spaced from said annulus to form a recess therebetween, said annulus having a plurality of annularly arranged openings formed therethrough spaced from said anchor bar and from one another, and at least one ornament securable to said annulus, said ornament including a plate having a tongue at one end thereof engaged within said recess under said anchor bar and a pin on its underside engaged within the first of said openings from said anchor bar, said pin having its end swaged against the inner end of said opening, said plate having defined in its upper surface, at its other end, an area corresponding in shape to said anchor bar, said other end having a portion beneath said area spaced from said annulus and forming a recess therebetween, said last mentioned recess adapted to receive the tongue of a second similar ornament.

2. A finger ring comprising an annulus, said annulus having an annular bead provided on its outer surface adjacent and parallel to each edge thereof, said annular beads spaced from one another, an anchor bar secured on said annular beads across the space between them and forming a space between it and the outer surface of said annulus, said annulus having a plurality of annularly arranged openings formed therethrough spaced from said anchor bar and from one another, and at least one ornament securable to said annulus, said ornament including a plate having a tongue at one end thereof engaged within said recess under said anchor bar and a pin on its underside engaged within the first of said openings from said anchor bar, said pin having its end swaged against the inner end of said opening, said plate having defined in its upper surface, at its other end, an area corresponding in shape to said anchor bar, said other end having a portion beneath said area spaced from said annulus and forming a recess therebetween, said last-mentioned recess adapted to receive the tongue of a second similar ornament.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 31,735 Palmer Mar. 19, 1861 1,574,166 Peters Feb. 23, 1926 1,828,616 Peters Oct. 20, 1931 1,891,248 Stamer Dec. 20, 1932 2,653,402 Bonagura Sept. 29, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 408,449 France Mar. 26, 1910 

1. A FINGER RING COMPRISING AN ANNULUS, SAID ANNULUS HAVING AN ANCHOR BAR SECURED ON ITS OUTER SURFACE AND PROJECTING TRANSVERSELY THEREOF IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL TO THE AXIS OF SAID ANNULUS, SAID ANCHOR BAR HAVING A PORTION THEREOF SPACED FROM SAID ANNULUS TO FORM A RECESS THEREBETWEEN, SAID ANNULUS HAVING A PLURALITY OF ANNULARLY ARRANGED OPENINGS FORMED THERETHROUGH SPACED FROM SAID ANCHOR BAR AND FROM ONE ANOTHER, AND AT LEAST ONE ORNAMENT SECURABLE TO SAID ANNULUS, SAID ORNAMENT INCLUDING A PLATE HAVING A TONGUE AT ONE END THEREOF ENGAGED WITHIN SAID RECESS UNDER SAID ANCHOR BAR AND A PIN ON ITS UNDERSIDE ENGAGED WITHIN THE FIRST OF SAID OPENINGS FROM SAID ANCHOR BAR, SAID PIN HAVING ITS END SWAGED AGAINST THE INNER END OF SAID OPENING, SAID PLATE HAVING DEFINED IN ITS UPPER SURFACE, AT ITS OTHER END, AN AREA CORRESPONDING IN SHAPE TO SAID ANCHOR BAR, SAID OTHER END HAVING A PORTION BENEATH SAID AREA SPACED FROM SAID ANNULUS AND FORMING A RECESS THEREBETWEEN, SAID LAST MENTIONED RECESS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE TONGUE OF A SECOND SIMILAR ORNAMENT. 